Slicing machine



Dec.l 8, 1931. w. J. CAMPBELL sLIoING MACHINE Filed June fr; 1929 4 sheets-sheet 1 Awill! L Dec 8 1931- W. J. CAMPBELL. 1,835,275

v sLIcING MACHINE Filed June '7, 1929 4 Sheets-SheetV 2 [1Q vera/af MY/ZWZJQWM Dec. 8, 1931. w, J. CAMPBELL SLICING MACHINE Filed June '7. 1929 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Dec. 8, 1931. W J, CAMPBELL 1,835,275

SLICING MACHINE ,Filed June 7, 1929 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Patented Dec. 8, 15931 WILLIAM J. oAMPnnLL, or nvnranaroms P'IAIEFNT-QFFICEy rnniaim, AssIGNonro AMERICAN Vstrc- ING MACHINECOMPANY, F CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OFN-EW YORK stroma Macallan 'Application mea June 7, 1929. sean ivo. acarrea.

My yinvention relates to a slicing machine and is applicable for example .ch-ine, o'f a typevhaving a rotary and preferably: a motor `driven knife. One objectof my invention is to provide means for clearing the slices from the knife as they are severed. Another objectV is to provide support for the front end of the work and for the slice as it Vis severed. Another object isto insure the del10 livery of flat and uncurled slices. y

Y object is the provision of a support for the `work-and for the 'slice being'severed there y from whichshall be thoroughly effective at the pointV where the knife engages the work.

115 -Another object vis the provision-of means for keepingthe supporting member clear and for discharging the slices therefrom as they are severed. vUther objectsV will appear from time `to time in the course of the specification I'illustrate niv invention more or lessdiagrammaticallyin the accompanying drawings, wherein v Figure 1 is a front elevation; `,Figure 2 is Va corresponding rear elevation; f v.. l, 1 Figurel isan end elevation Figure tis a section-on the line Hof Figure 3;; i'

Figure 5 ure 4;

vFigure 6 is a view similar to Figure 4 from an opposite direction;

Figure 7 is a plan View;

Figure 8 is a sectionon the line Suf-Soi Figure 6; v

Figure 9 is a similar section through a modified form Y' Y Y .v Figure 10 is a partial side elevation of the structure shown in Figure 9; and.

a section on the-line 5 5 of Fig- .Figure 11 is asection through avariant form. V.

Like parts are indicated by like symbols throughout the specification and drawings.

A .generally indicates a base upon which is mounted a motor not herein shown in detail but concealed beneaththe cover o-rhousing member A1. A2 indicates a'beltl about a driving pulley actuated by the motor.

B indicates a guard plate whichis herein to a slicing ma- Another Y shown as lying in a generally vertical plane, and B1 indicates a ,Gauge plate., B5 indicates a carrier member fbi' the gauge plate which may be actuated'in any suitable manner for example by rotation of the knob Btwhich is mounted in any suitable manner on thebase A. The knob B? is associated with the shaft B5 which is held against axial movement in relation to the base A. It may bev provided with a'worm or screw portion Bfin mesh with a correspondingly threaded member diagrarninatically indicated as B7, on the lower extension` B8V of the carrier member B3. ltwill be understood that thecarrier mem*V berl B3 isrotatable about the shaft .B5 but is normally held against rotation and limited vto a sliding movement across ,fthe fbase.V In

order to effect a tilting adjustmentof'the vmember B5 and the carrier B5, with the consequentcontrol ofthe tilt of the lower edge of l the gauge plate B1,I.provide bearing'blocks B5 B5l on the base theheight of which may for example be controlled by the associated screws Blo and thelock nuts.B1.1. The members B5f slidably enga-ge bosses'or iiat portions of the member B8, indicated as B12 B12. It will be understood that rotation of the knob Bt and lthus of the'shaft B5 moves the gauge plate 'and` gauge plate assembly tolward ,orf away from the cutting plane along .an axis co-incidentwith the axis of the shaft B5. i Y

C indicates akni-fe mounted upon any suitable knife shaft-Cl, C2 is a pulley associated with theknife and knife shaft, aboutwhich passes the belt A2, whereby theknife is ro- -tate d.` 1 Y i, .y

YD ,indicates a' circular track and D1 a guide track therebeneath, herein shown `as of rectangular cross`section.V The tracks are parallel. rMounted for movement along the track `D is the meat carriage generally indicated as D2 which includes a generally horizontal `upper portion Dgiupon'which the work support later described rests. Depending from thecarria'geV D2 is the portion D4 which is provided with a plurality of downwardly depending lugs D5 positioned one on each side of the track D1. ,'lhese lugs are provided with adjusting members or screwsD5with their Cil lock nuts D7, whereby a certain range of adjustment is allowed, having for effect to tilt the carriage D2 about the track D.

Pivoted to the carriage I)2 is a fiat work supporting plate generally indicated as E. It is secured for example upon the supporting member or members E1 associated with the hinge or hinges E2 which are aligned with the pivot lugs E3 upon the carriage D2. E* indicate any suitable pivot pins whereby the parts are mounted in pivotal relation. The member E when in its lowest position lies in a generally horizontal plane, as shown in Figure l. I provide a slight adjustment of its level, as for example the member E5 which is screwthreaded in the top of the carriage D2 and which may be'locked at any set position, as by the nut EG. The member E may be held at any desired position of adjustment, as by the links E7 slotted as at E8, and engaged by the locking member or knob Ff. E10 indicates a. fiange along' the edge of the plate E and E11 E12 are guards associated with said flange.

In order to provide a support for the work and for the slices as they are being severed from the work, which shall be constant, regardless of the position of the gauge plate, I provide a work supporting' bar or shelf, generally indicated as G, as for example in Fig ures 2 and 3, which is supported on the base or frame and which is shown as underlying the gauge plate and the gauge'plate support. It is preferably provided, as shown in Figure S and in the variant form of Figure l), with a terminal portion G1 which lies adjacent the knife edge and conforms to the rear face of the knife adjacent and within said edge, and closely approaches it. In effeet the knife edge is positioned in the recess G2 and the form of this recess or cut away portion is such that the support ex` tends forwardly of the cutting plane of the knife edge. This is clearly shown in Figures 8 and 9. Therefore the support G extends across the cutting plane, lying in part on each side thereof. The cut away portion G2 is formed as at G3 in Figure 6 arcuately to conform to the curvature and be capable of arrangement closely adjacent the knife edge.

It will be seen, as in Figures 5, S and 9 that the edge of the work support E is spaced somewhat back from the cutting plane, but closely approaches the opposed edge of the member G. Since the member G hugs the knife edge the work, as it approaches the cutting edge, is supported both by the plate E and by the member G until the severance of the slice is actually begun. The severed portion of a partiallyv severed slice is supported upon the terminal portion G1 of the member G. I find that in order to prevent material .falling on the member G1 and to prevent any gathering of material between it and Vthe knife and between it and the frame or housing, it is advantageous to provide a terminal fillet at the end of the member G1. In Figure 8 I indicate this fillet G as formed on the frame. In the variant form of F igure 9 I indicate a recess in the frame, as at G, the fillet being formed as at G7 at the top of the member G1 penetrating the recess G8 in the rear face of the knife.

Since one of the objects of my invention is to provide a constant support for the work, I find it desirable to maintain the gap between the members G and E as narrow as possible, at least in handling relatively plastic or soft material, such as meat. I therefore provide means for adjusting the relationship between the members G and E. In the form of Figures 4 and 5 I illustrate adjusting' apertures H in the frame through which pass adjusting sciews H1 of considerably smaller diameter than the apertures H. These screws penetrate the member G as at H2 and are provided with ahead I-If, whereby they may be drawn up into locking or holding position. The relative size of the screws H1 and the apertures H permits adjustment of the bar G longitudinally toward and away from the knife edge and transversely toward and away from the edge of the member E. It may be desirable to affect also a vertical adjustment, in which case I may provide for example the shims H4 shown in Figure 1l. In Figure ll I show the shim H4 only about the adjusting screw nearest the knife edge but I wish it to be understood that I may employ the shim with either or both adjusting screws, depending upon the kind and degree of adjustment desired. For example by putting a shim about a screw nearest the cutting edge of the knife only I lift the inner end of the member or bar G. Under some circumstances I find it desirable to have the inner end of the bar higher than the rest of the bar. If vthis is not desired, the bar may be vertically adjusted as a whole by employing shims at both ends of the bar.

It will be realized that whereas I have described and shown a practical and operative device, nevertheless many changes might be made in the size, shape, number and disposition of parts without departing from the spirit of my invention. therefore wish my description and drawings to be taken as in a broad sense illustrative and diagrannnatic rather than as limiting me to my specific showing.

rI"he use and operation of my invention are as follows:

In slicing machines of the type in which a rotary knife is employed and. a work supporting carriage is guided across the face of the knife, I have in the past employed a gauge plate which is moved toward and away from the cutting plane. The edge of the carriage closest: the cutting plane is normally constantly positioned. That is to say,

while there may be a certain adjustmentV possible by rotating the carriage about the circular track D, such an adjustment cannot practically be made at every movement of the gauge plate, andthe adjustment islimited' by the cutting plane, since the carriage cannot be moved into the cutting plane and still perform its conveying function across the `face of the knife. The gauge plate, however,

1 'map be withdrawn a very substantial "distance to the rear ofthe cutting plane and 'if a thick slice is being out the end' of the work which is being sliced projects outwardly beyond the support afforded by the carriage G, which underlies the gauge plate and which supports'that portion of the work which extends toward the gauge plate beyond the edge of thecarriage. j In practice I findfhissupport extremely important and it is partic- Aularly important thatV Vthis support be ade- ,'quate at the point where the cutting edge of the 'knife actually penetrates the work. It will be observed for example, as inFig ures 4, 6 and 10 that Iprovide an upwardly inclined iportion at the' end of the member Gr closest the cutting'edge; Referring for example to Figures and A6 I illustrate theV s member G as having a generally plane'upper surface G10 which may be for example, at the level ofthe bottoms of the-corruga-V tions G11.- A t the end of the member G, however, I provide an upper level portion G12, whichf may be connected `with the'plane of G10 as by the incline G13. Imay dispense,

plane Ssupport 1G12, "or rather, may termi. nate the upper level G12 at or-within the cut- 'Y l ting edge `of the knife, .as 'shown in` Figure l0 and the incline G13, insuch case, lifts 'the edge of the work upwardly Vat the end of its excursion toward the cutting edge of the knife.' Whereas I d`o not wish to be limited to any specific dimensions, I findritdesirable `in many Vcases to have theplane G`1ggorthe upper portion of the incline G13 die in sub- `stantiallythe level of the tops of the corrugations as shown in Figure `5, the lower level G19.being thereby positioned below the tops of the corrugations. y The` corrugations, whether they are along the edge ofthe support-E, or whether, as may be desirable, lthey extend entirely acrossthe face. thereof, are

thus f permitted to lexercise their function,

'thruout the major portion of the member G,

which is to prevent -drawingback or `fricytional'distortionofthe work by engagementy with the member G or the gauge plate. In

employing a corrugated carriage any4 `tend- `thework along the gauge plate.

lency ofthe work to slip back from the knife is thus( minimized Aand 'the Vwork is soundly supported and 'firmly urged against the cuttingedge-.f The resultis the practical eliminationoftai'ling and frictional distortion of `the work vbut also a very substantial reduction of larding,whichfiscaused bythe frictional engagement of the distorted work with the rapidly moving knife. In general practice the objectionable phenomena of tailing and larding go together and by firmly urging the work toward the cutting edge both aregreatly lreduced'.y That is to` say, I pre vent or greatlylimit tailingand larding by providing adequate support for y=the material being sliced, which support prevents recession of thefmaterial from the knife or dragging or thrusting back of the front face or `edge of thelmaterial in relation to the mass ofthe material, as it engages the knife. The result of the .employment ofmy structureis the provision ofl a firm support back of the cutting plane, at the point of cutting and the firm application of driving force against the material, The flange E11and the guard E11 also. aid -inthisfirm support of the work,

:since theyabut against the side of the work oppositetdthe cutting edge'of the knife and `prevent rearward' movement of thefwork away from Vthe-knife and frictional dragging of Y Finally, theupward inclination or the upward adjustment of theend ofthe member G:wl1ere :the work actually engages the cutting edge of the knife gives a maximum of support at the cuttinglpoint; '.Thevmember G" at that point maybe even with the tops 'of the cor.- l rugationsand the'work, andthe slice as it Vis being` severed from the work,rests firmlyV upon 'the plane surfaced top of the member d f v 'G at that point.' however, as Vshown in Figure 10, with thef The portion G1 ofthe member G conforms Vcloselyto tlieirear of the knife and has to 'some' extent theY function of a scraper. TheV `member Gisprefera-bly' so adjustedto the knife as ,well as bein(T shaped to conform to it, `that no room is left for slices or for bits of meat" and the like of any substantial size'to penetrate'bet'ween the knife and the support.

'In order to prevent jamming or packing of be formed on the member G itself, as shown at'Glinl Figures 9 and l0. In the ,former `@cas'e the fillet is preferably recessed below the "level of'th'e upper portion of the member G,

this'recessingbeingV clearly shown in Figarredi.

Itis important thatthe support G be properly .adjusted and` adjustable in relation to 1Vtheilgauge plate andthe Carriage and the knife. The securingV 'screws H1 in the apertures H, as shown in Figures 4, 5 and 11 for example, permit of longitudinal adjustment of the member G toward and away from the cutting edge of the knife. They also permit of transverse adjustment of the member G toward and away from the carriage. These adjustments are preferably made at the factory but they are sufficiently simple and easy to enable the ordinary operator to make them himself if. need be. A close approach of the aember G to the carriage or supporting member lil'being important I may obtain this adjustment by moving the member G toward and away from the carriage edge. I may also control the relationship of the carriage edge to the member Gr by rotating the carriage about the track D, as by employment of the adjusting members DG and the locking screws D7, as shown in Figure If this rotation of the carriage is sufficient to affect the height of tl e carriage edge, then the member G may be vertically adjusted, as by employment of shims such as I-I.

further adjustment which may be neces,- sarj7 is the adjustment between the upper face of the member G and the lower edge of the gauge plate. The gauge plate B1 is preferably adjusted upon a support B3 as by the screws Ii. As above pointed out the member G- can be vertically adjusted and its inclination can be adjusted by employment of shims II" at either or both ends. Finally, the gaugeplate and its support can be tilted as a unit, as by actuation of the supporting members Note also that the inclination of the member E may be adjusted as by actuation of the adjusting or supporting member shown `in Figure 1. The member E5 controls the level of the support E when it is in its lowest position, limiting its rotation about its pivot toward the surface of the carriage member proper D2. I wish it understood that all of these various'adjustments may be employed in a single machine if found desirable and equally that in practice I may dispense with some of them.

t will therefore be seen that I have insured, by the various adjustments above described, the ability of the operator to maintain the necessary close contacts or approaches between support and knife, between support and gauge plate and between support and carriage.

I claim:

l. In a slicing machine having a rotary knife and means for rotating it, a carriage and means for gl'iiding it across the plane of the knife, a gauge plate lying in a plane genorally parallel with the path of movement of said carriage and means for moving it toward and away from said carriage and a work supporting member underlying said gauge plate and extending along the path of movement of said carriage and lying on each side of the cutting plane of the knife, said work supporting member being mounted independently of the gauge plate, and means for tiltably adjusting the lower edge of the gauge plate in relation to the upper face of said vork supporting member.

2. In a slicing machine having a rotary knife and means for rotating it, a carriage and means for guiding it across the plane of the knife, a gauge plate lying in a plane generally parallel with the path of movement of said carriage and means for moving it toward and away from said carriage and a work supporting member extending along the path of nmvement of said carriage and lying on each side of the cutting plane of the knife, said work supporting member being mounted iiidependently'of the gauge plate, and means for vertically and independently adjusting the opposite ends of said work support.

In a slicing machine having a rotary knife and means for rotating it, a work carriage and means for guiding said carriage across the face and past the cutting arc of the knife, a work supporting member lying in the general horizontal plane of the carriage, extending adjacent the cutting edge of the knife, the upper face of said work supporting member adjacent the cutting edge of the knife being higher than the upper face of the work supporting member more remote from the cutting edge, a portion of the face of the work supporting member adjacent the cutting edge of the knife being upwardly inclined toward said cutting edge.

4. In a slicing machine having a rotary knife and means for rotating it, a guard plate positioned forwardly of said knife, a gauge plate and means for maintaining it at all positions in general parallelism with the guard plate, a work carriage and means for gni ding said carriage across the face and past the cutting arc of thel knife, the forward edge of said carriage being in general parallelism with, but spaced somewhat away from the faces of the guard plate and gauge plate, a normally fixed work supporting means lying in the general horizontal plane of the carriage, and underlying the lower edge of the gauge plate, and extending on both sides of the cutting plane of the knife, one portion of said work supporting means conforming closely to the rear face of the peripheral portion of the knife, the portion of the supporting means which projects forwardly of the cutting plane terminating adjacent to but exteriorly of the periphery of the knife, the outer edge of the supporting means being parallel with and closely adjacent to the opposed edge of the carriage said work sup porting means extending substantially from edge to edge of the gauge plate and being positioned, throughout its length, in close proximity to the forward edge of the car riage, in a plane forwardly of the cutting plane.

5. In .a slicing machine having a rotary knife and means for rotating it, a guard plate positioned forwardly of said knife, a gauge plate and means for maintaining it at all positions in general parallelism with the guard plate, a work carriage and means for guiding said carriage across the face and past the cutting arc of the knife, the forward edge of said carriage being in general parallelism with, but spaced somewhat away from the faces of the guard plate and gauge plate, a normally xed work supporting means lying in the general horizontal plane of the car-V riage, and underlying the lower edge of the gauge plate, and extending on both sides of the cutting plane of the knife, said work supporting member being mounted independently of the gaugel plate and means for longitudinally adjusting it in relation to the cutting edge of the knife and means for transversely adjusting it in relation to the opposed knife face and the Vopposed edgeof the carriage, said worksupporting member i lying closely adjacent to and in general parallelism with the opposed edge ofthe carriage said work supporting means extending substantially from edge to edge of the gauge plate and being positioned, throughout its length, in close proximity tothe forward edge of the carriage, in a plane forwardly of the cutting plane.

6. The construction of claiin characterized by the further provision of means for verticallyl adjusting the work supporting member in relation to the lower overlying Vedge of the carriage plate.

7 In a slicing machine having a rotary knife and means for rotatingv it, said knife being mounted for axial removal, aguard plate positioned forwardly of said knife, a gauge plate and means for maintaining it at all positions in general parallelism with the guard plate, a work carriage and means for guiding said carriage across the vface, and past the cutting. arc of the knife, theforward edge of said carriage being in general parallelism with, b-ut spaced somewhat away from the faces of the guard plate and gauge plate, a normally fixed work supporting means lying in the general horizontal plane of the carriage, and underlying the lower edge of the gauge plate, and extending on both sides o f the cutting plane of the knife, said work supporting member being mounted independently of the gauge plate and means for vertically adjusting it in relation to the over-V lying lower edge of the gauge plate andthe adjacent edgeof the'carriage, andrmeans for transversely adjusting it in relation to the opposed knife face and the opposed edge of parallelism with the opposed edge ofthe carriage.

Signed at Indianapolis, county of Marion and State of Indiana, this 3rd day of June,

VILLIAM J. CAMPBELL.

the carriage, said work supporting member f lying closely adjacent to and general 

